Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-04-16
Why don't you then" came III

than this beastlv weather. Tell Won
"haC' tno1gh, at the next station IN
try 70 ct her some tea or sometime.
dn'. that Il pave the way 70 q chat .
Chalioner trowned involuntariIv
Such talk was peculiarly di.tastaf,,I
70 hihli ana Tor the first time il struck
nm that for the future his Madge
would oeopen to any and every chance
insult which men such as his
Ieilow'traveiers might choose to put
upon her. The very thought OF il
made his blood boil. Madge was so
pretty, so young. and in many ways
so thougntless, that, even more than
another, she might be made 20 feel her
| unprotected state: and whatever
might happen, be himself would he
! EowerleSS to shield her. He became
| so absorbed IN this new thought that
he hardly noticed when the creeping
/ train came to a standsti.l, aud il was
only when sudden blast of cold air
! made 1t itapparent that his companions
! had thrown down the window and
were leaning out that he rou sed him.
/ self to inquire the cause He was put.
/ ting his head out OF his own window
I to look about him when the guard
came along the footbOard, feeling his
way laborIously IN the binding snow
| ana shouting At the top OF MS voice
that all passengers were TO descend
Instantly al was IN confusion. Cries
OF why! What's the matter? Are W.
III danger! and guard. guard re-.
sounded on all sides. Immediately
the younger OF his hiscompanions un'aat-
ened the door and circulating. Now
for that pretty girl" jumped out:
while the other more slowly collected
his wraps and observed that he sup
posed the snow had been too mucn
tor the engine
This indeed proved 70 he the case:
and.after some pardonabie grumbliuG.
thailoner got out ol the train and iOi-
lowed IN the track OF these who were
picking their way toward q roadside
station at some forty yards distance
As he did so he caught the rough, per-
suasive tones OF his late companion:
Really now, you had better take my
arm; we shall yet on tirst-rate'
The door OF a tirst-class carriage
was swinging open, and standing be-
fore it-so directly in his path that
Challoner almost fell over him-was
the young gentleman who had yaunt-
ed his appreciation of feminine beau
ty. Naturally Challoner'S glance fol-
lowed his, and although he could not
distinguish the !ady's features ne was
becoming dimly conscious that the
brown velvet coat was strangely fa-
mlliar, when she spoke q few words i'm
"A tone which sent the blood rapidly
coursing through his veins: Thank
you: will not trouble you; my maid
Is with me-"
Madge's voice, Chailoner dropped
his rugs, scrambled up on TO the loot
board, and held out his arms. Come
down at once'" he cried authorita.
lively. at may not be sale Tor YOU
to stay there. Jump, and I'll catch
you. May I trouble YOU to get out OF
my way, Sir? This lady is my wife"
Madge flung herself instantly into
the outstretchad arms, and burst into
hysterlcal sobbing. "Oh John, John!
| have been so cold and so frightened.
And the light in our carriage went out,
and thought something might hap.
pen to the train and hurt you"
why, Madge?"
Never before had Challoner seen his
wife so thoroughly unhinged and
frightened. and his heart gave a great
leap n he echoed her last words:
Hurt me! OF course not. But how
came you to be travelling to town:
Why didn't you stay i'll Edinburgh?
Do you think you have taken cold?"
He askt q the questions all IN a breath;
but when she began explaining that
she wanted to spend Christmas in
town with her aunt, he hastily cu1
her short.
There Is no time TO talk; we must
get on to the station. Parker tthi;
to the maid follow me closely, and
try to ak in my footsteps. | shaf
carry your mistress; the snow Is too
deep for her
While speaking he took the trembling
girl in his arms. and began slowly
plodding along in. the direction the
guard had indicated. OF courseit was
only a chance mreting, and Chailonet
was too free from superstition toloog
on il as ANYTHING else, but even while
he was reminding himself that it was
q terrible pity they had met-that
their tempers were wholly incompati'
that it would be misery 10
live again through the last few months,
he was still holding the girl very close.
" and tenderly, and wishing in spite
OF himself that the distance could be
doubled.
When they reached the little coun
try station they found it to be better
with shelter than is usually
the case. and hoUgh there was only
one man in charge, he was a sensible,
tood-natured individual, who did his
best for the poor travellers thus
thrown upon his hands. Either the
sight of Madge's white chiid-hke face,
Or the pleasant assurance that the
Gentleman would make it worth his
while, induced him TO open littlebox
Of a room which appeared to be hfs
especial property and to motion tc
Ihailoner TO enter.
Your lady will be more comfort.
able there. Sir. than IN the big room
along o the third class passengers
and al" he suggested; and as neither
husband nor wife could think of a
sufficient excuse for preferring the
OF their felIow-travelers,
.hey were obliged 20 follow the mans
cad.
II viii not intrudeupon your privar
"" said Challoner stif1y as soon as
the station keeper had left them alone